RIC SPLITS WITH LANCERS

Worcester, Mass.--Rhode Island College freshman catcher Emma Simmons (Saunderstown, RI) went a combined 2-for-6 with three runs scored to lead the softball team to a split in non-conference double-header action against Worcester State on Thursday afternoon.

The Anchorwomen (11-9) took game one by a score of 6-1 before the Lancers (12-13-1) won game two by a score of 5-4 in eight innings.

In game one, RIC jumped out early in the first inning, with an RBI sacrifice fly from sophomore shortstop Nicole Venturini (North Scituate, RI) scoring Simmons for the first run. RIC was able to tack on one more run in the top of the frame when sophomore first baseman Chelsea Schott (Meriden, CT) smacked an RBI double that scored junior pitcher Lauren DiScuillo (East Providence, RI) to make the score 2-0 Anchorwomen.

Freshman Emma Simmons

Worcester State got one back in the home half of the third inning when senior right fielder Taylor Daniels (Norco, CA) scored on a RIC error to make the score 2-1 for the visitors. Venturini struck again in the top half of the fifth inning, knocking a double to center field that scored Simmons to make it 3-1 RIC.

The Anchorwomen put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh inning, scoring three runs in the stanza to give the game its 6-1 final. DiScuillio, Simmons and freshman right fielder Michela DeAngelis (North Providence, RI) all scored on a WSU error and DiScuillo shut the door in the bottom half of the inning.

DiScuillo went 7.0 innings, allowing one unearned run on seven hits, while striking out three in the victory (2-3). Sophomore pitcher Julie Melanson (Gardner, MA) pitched 7.0 innings, allowing six runs, three earned, on nine hits, while striking out five in the loss (2-2).

In the nightcap, the Anchorwomen struck first again, with senior left fielder Katelyn McCaughey (Warwick, RI) notching an RBI single that scored freshman pitcher Briana Gough (West Warwick, RI) to make the score 1-0. RIC extended its advantage in the top of the third, with Venturini and junior center fielder Lauren Duvall (East Greenwich, RI) each scoring unearned runs to push the RIC lead to 3-0.

The Lancers struck back in the home half of the fifth inning, scoring two runs to make the score 3-2. Senior shortstop Hayley Terry (Bellingham, MA) got the offense started, notching an RBI sacrifice fly to right field that scored junior third baseman Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, MA). WSU sophomore first baseman Sydney Despres (Sterling, MA) halved the deficit when she notched an RBI double to center field.

RIC scored a run in the top of the sixth inning with Venturini picking up a bases loaded walk to push the advantage to two, 4-2, before the hosts staged their comeback. Worcester State picked up a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning on a two-RBI single by Couto to knot the game at four apiece.

Following a scoreless seventh, the Lancers were able to strike for the game-winning run in the eighth when Terry was able to smack a bases loaded, two-out RBI to earn the split.

Gough went 7.2 innings, allowing five runs, four earned on 14 hits, while striking out five in the loss (5-2). Junior Kayla Humphrey (Wallingford, CT) went 8.0 innings, allowing four runs, one earned, on seven hits while striking out three in the victory (5-1).

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference play with a doubleheader at Keene State on Saturday, April 16 (1 p.m.).